Frome RFC

It was the hosts who started the stronger gathering the kick off and then putting the Frome line under pressure within the opening minutes. This resulted in the home side No.8 being bundled over from close range despite stout Frome defence.

North Dorset increased their lead shortly after when a well placed kick was gathered by the Centre who sprinted home unopposed to increase their lead to 10 points. 

Frome then gained a foothold in the game and with some superb tackling and breakdown play were soon awarded a penalty, which was duly converted by James Howard. 

The visitors continued to press with the Frome Forwards carrying hard into North Dorset territory and after a break by man of the match Micheal Duppa-Miller the ball was recycled by replacement Hooker Ryan Lech who released 1st XV debutant Winger Ed Darwent to score the first try. The conversion being added by Howard. 

Frome continued to dominate and were rewarded again when, after some superb link up play between the Forwards and Backline saw Ross Toten dot down for the score. Frome going into the half time break 10 - 17 up. 

The second half proved to be evenly contested and the home side drew level when there Flanker broke down the wing to score a try converted from the touch line.

Frome regrouped and after being awarded a penalty, kicked to the corner. From the resultant line out Hooker Lech set up a maul 15 metres from the line and with almost the entire team joining in it was Flanker Toten who touches down for his second, converted by Howard. 

The home side then pressed for the equalising score but stout Frome kept them out for a hard fought win.

The Frome RFC 1st XV man of the match, sponsored by The Old Bath Arms Frome went to Second Row Michael Duppa-Miller.

Head Coach Toby Culff commented “ For as long as I can remember, North Dorset has always been as tough a fixture as any. No matter what the form book and the league table says, games between our two teams are rarely settled by more than a score, and that's exactly how it finished again. North Dorset are always rugged and determined, and their technique in the tackle and at the breakdown is first class. It's nearly impossible to build momentum against them if they're on song and their crowd is loud and confrontational, exactly as they should be. Turning up there when you're struggling with injuries and searching for form isn't something to be relished. There are days to analyse the intricacies of your performance, and others which are frankly all about escaping with the right result, breathing a sigh of relief, and just moving onto the next challenge. I think I can speak for all of the players and coaches when I say that our sigh of relief was deep, and that our escape was a grateful and exhausted one! A big well done to the players for digging out the victory. Somehow. Pretty is wasn't, important it was. Now onto the next!”

Frome move to second in Southern Counties South and are back in league action on Saturday 7th December when they welcome 6th place Swanage & Wareham RFC to the ‘Lane’.

Frome RFC Squad: 1. Storey 2. Taylor 3. Bowler 4. Howard 5. Duppa-Miller 6. James 7. Toten 8. Randall 9. J Benstead 10. Westlake 11. Sully 12. Rutt 13. Warnock 14. Darwent 15. Spencer 16. G Benstead 17. Lech 18. Burge